Introduced by Senator Pan (Principal coauthors: Senators Newman and Wiener) (Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Aguiar-Curry, Akilah Weber, and Wicks)
The bill would prohibit the governing authority of a school or other institution from admitting any person as a pupil of any public or private elementary or secondary school, childcare center, day nursery, nursery school, family day care home, or development center, unless prior to their admission they have been fully immunized against COVID-19.
POSTING: April 25, 2022
STATUS: Senate Health – no hearing scheduled
POSITION: OPPOSE
Thoughts for consideration: (from Board of Supervisors, County of Stanislaus opposition letter)
The bill removes the personal belief exemption, a time-honored tradition under American law. In addition, it would remove the personal belief exemption from any future or additional immunization requirements that are deemed necessary by the California Department of Public Health.
Would create hardship for parents who exercise their right to ask for the exemption for their children.
The bill is also ill timed and not necessary given the state’s recognition of rapidly improving public health conditions.
Governor Newsom has begun lifting emergency orders and other COVID-19 related state mandates, including lifting the workplace indoor mask mandate, for most sectors, on March 1, 2022, and lifting the indoor mask mandate for schools on March 11, 2022.